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I AM 90 and have recently met a 70-year-old widow. We would like to start a physical relationship but I cannot get an erection. I sent off for some supplements which I hoped might help (taurine, ginseng root and Tribulus terrestris extract).

The advice with the supplements said to ask your doctor if you were taking medication for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation. I don’t want to ask my GP. Do you think they are safe? Please help, I don’t want to lose this lady.

A - Oh, how lovely that you are having another chance of romance at this stage in your life. Sex can be an important part of a relationship, no matter what your age, but I suspect that older men place more emphasis on it than older women.

I would like to reassure you that for her, companionship and someone being there for her are probably for more important than the physical side of things.

But to answer your question, I presume you are taking medication for both atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure and having both these conditions is likely to mean you have some narrowing to the arteries that supply the penis, which will affect your ability to get an erection.

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Not only that but the medicines you are taking, particularly beta blockers, can affect erectile function.

I can find no good evidence that any of the supplements you have listed can improve erectile dysfunction in healthy young men. I think that they are highly unlikely to make any difference to you so please do not waste your money. Instead go to see your GP. He (or she) will, I promise, be delighted to try to help you and you should not feel embarrassed.

It is possible that sildenafil, sold under the trade name Viagra, a drug that is proven to help with erectile problems, may be suitable for you and it is available free on the NHS for someone of your age.

But even if nothing can be done, please do not think your problems will mean you will lose this lady. Particularly in later life there is far more to a loving relationship than sex. And if that’s all she cares about then she is not worth having.

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Any viral illness, including the flu, can leave you feeling drained afterwards (Image: GETTY)

Q - What are the causes and symptoms of post-viral fatigue?

A - Any viral illness, including the flu, can leave you feeling drained afterwards, with low energy levels and needing much more sleep than usual.

However most people recover in a couple of weeks. Post-viral fatigue syndrome (sometimes known as myalgic encephalomyelitis) is a more long-term condition, lasting many months.

The main symptom is persistent tiredness that is overwhelming and different to the everyday tiredness you may feel after a long day at work. The tiredness is made worse by activity and is not eased much by rest. Other symptoms can include sleeping problems, either being unable to sleep or sleeping too much, and mental changes such as difficulty concentrating, poor memory and difficulty getting your thoughts straight.

Some sufferers also have pain in the muscles, headaches or a recurrent sore throat. The cause is not known but some people think it may be triggered by a viral infection, such as glandular fever. Why some people get it and others don’t is a mystery.

There may be an inherited genetic susceptibility and some people may be more at risk because of mental illness such as anxiety or depression.

A poor diet, stress and being socially isolated can make the condition worse. If you feel that you may be suffering from post-viral fatigue please see your GP, who can do tests to check that there is no other cause for your symptoms, such as anaemia or an underactive thyroid, and arrange appropriate treatment for you.

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Q - I am in my late 80s and can no longer walk unless I am holding on to someone so I sit down a lot. Are there exercises I can do to strengthen my muscles?

A - Unfortunately, muscles do tend to become smaller and weaker with increasing age, a condition known as sarcopenia. Not only can it lead to difficulty with walking but it can also increase the risk of having a fall and then a broken bone. But with regular exercises you can make your muscles stronger. The best way to learn about these is to go to a strength and balance class, available on the NHS.

Alternatively you may need a referral to a specialist falls clinic, where doing exercises will be part of your treatment. See your GP, who can arrange a referral.

You should also ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level as deficiency is common in older people and can contribute to muscle weakness.

Eating enough protein, in the form of lean meat, such as chicken or low-fat cheese, is also important for muscle strength.

If you have a health question for Dr Rosemary please write to her in confidence at The Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN or email health@ express.co.uk. Dr Rosemary’s reply will appear in this column.

She regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence and that due to the volume of letters she cannot reply to everyone. Find out more about Dr Rosemary atdrrosemaryleonard.co.uk